Dropbox alternative: Strato HiDrive in the test
The Dropbox alternative "Strato-HiDrive" is one of the largest cloud storage systems. In our test, we let the storage service compete against the Dropbox giant - whether he has a chance?
Dropbox alternative "Strato" - what does the online storage offer?
Strato is Europe's number two when it comes to web hosting.
- About Strato: Strato is a German company with headquarters and servers in Berlin, which was founded in 1997. In 2009 the company was taken over by Telekom. Strato has a three-pronged security concept, including ISO 27001 certification.
- Storage space: The free Strato HiDrive version gives you 5 GB of storage space. There is no way to unlock more free storage. Additional storage space is chargeable: 100 GB at the time of the test cost 6.90 euros per month, 500 GB at 14.90 euros per month.
- Operation: The HiDrive cloud storage can be set up like another virtual drive, into which files can be saved directly or dragged and dropped. However, this does not work (in contrast to the Dropbox) with the free version.
- File sharing: You can invite other users to your folders and protect them with a password. This particularly facilitates quick access to large graphics and multimedia files that cannot be sent via email.
- Term: The contract term at Strato is always three months. However, there are always special offers such as "1 year 100GB HiDrive storage for one euro".
- App: You can access your data with the Strato HiDrive app at no extra charge.
- Plus features: In the paid version, you can also send files to special upload email addresses and upload them directly.
Competitor Dropbox in comparison
Dropbox is one of the world's largest cloud storage providers.
- About Dropbox: Dropbox is a US company founded in 2007 by two students and based in San Francisco. In recent years, cloud storage has made negative headlines with security holes several times. The data is encrypted with the Amazon web service S3, but Dropbox itself has full plain text access.
- Storage: There is 2 GB of cloud storage for free. Dropbox is a freemium model. You can expand storage space for a fee or earn storage expansions with friends' recommendations, for example. There is an additional 500 MB of permanent cloud storage for every successfully referred friend - up to a maximum of 16 GB.
- Operation: Can be set up like another virtual drive in which files can be saved directly or dragged and dropped.
- File sharing: You can specifically invite other users to your folders and share them. This particularly facilitates quick access to large graphics or multimedia files that cannot be sent via email.
- Duration: A pro subscription can be taken out monthly or annually. It costs about $ 10 a month for 100 GB. With annual payment there is a 17% discount. 200 GB is available for around $ 20 and 500 GB for around $ 50. For companies there are models with several user licenses in the business tariff.
- Mail upload: You can also forward files to special upload email addresses and thus upload them directly.
- App: You can also access your data with a special Dropbox app at no extra charge.
Strato HiDrive vs. Dropbox - the conclusion
With cloud storage, you can access your data on the go and easily exchange larger files with friends and colleagues. Whole magazines are created from home, with layouters in Russia, proofreaders in the USA and editors in Germany. Which provider you specifically choose depends on where your priorities lie: There is plenty of free storage through advertising campaigns at Dropbox, even if Strato with 5GB initially offers more basic storage than Dropbox. However, many Strato functions can only be used when the contract is concluded, such as uploading by email. The Dropbox is also more generous there. The Telekom subsidiary Strato in turn scores in terms of security. Not least because Dropbox is based in the United States.
Tip: In our cloud storage overview, we present 7 free Dropbox alternatives. But be careful: Many providers failed the security test at Stiftung Warentest. Therefore, you should ensure security yourself when using the cloud.